Magnetic core memory assembling apparatus



Feb. 9, 1965 P. E. sHAFER ETAL. 3,168,778

MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g PHILIP E. SHAFFER EUGENE T. WALENDZIEWICZ JOSEPH W. BIRD u- CHARLES WOOLARD Feb- 9, 1965 P. E. sHAr-'ER ETAL 3,158,778

MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1962 2 sheets-sheet 2 a4 5I ne 64 e2 82\ 7 82.

54 /54 III n [L I I; 76 64 e8 86 i8 nl I j Il' I I gm 4%) 56 70 62 so 82' 4e I INVENTORS.

PHILIP E. SHAFFER EUGENE T. INALENDZIEWICZ JOSEPH III. BIRD CHARLES WOOL/IRD III/2M W ,4.

AGENT United States Patent Ofice lgfid Patented Feb. 9., 1965 i 3,16S,778 i MAGNETIC `CORE MEMRY ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Philip'E. Shafer, Holmes, Eugene T. Walendziewicz, Philadelphia, Joseph W. Bird, King of Prussia, and Charles Woolard, Paoli, Pa., assignors to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 182,900 8 Claims. (Cl. 29-203) This invention relates to magnetic core memory apparatus, and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to apparatus for arranging magnetic cores in a manner enabling the threading of one Vor more operating windings through the bores of the cores in a simple, quick and eicient manner, thus to form a magnetic core memory matrix or array. `Still more particularly, the invention has to do with means for automatically orienting a plurality of magnetic cores with their bores in axial alignment thereby avoiding operator error with respect to the decision `as to whether to thread or not thread a certain core or cores.

It is an important object, therefore, of the present invention to provide means for aligning a plurality of magnetic cores permitting the simple and eilicient threading of operating windings thereon. p

Another object of the invention is to enable a relatively unskilled operator to` selectively thread operating windingsthrough a plurality of magnetic cores quickly, simply andeiciently. ,i

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a simple and" eicientameans for testingtmagnetic core memory plane fwiring arrangements without removal or other-handling of the individual cores in the array;

An additional `object of the` `invention is to provide apparatus responsive to punch card "information as to which cores are to be threaded for automatically orienting and 4for axially aligning the boresof a plurality of cores for such threading operation.`

In accordance with the foregoing objects and first briefiy described, thepresent invention comprises'means for detachably/releasably supporting Va pluralityof magnetic cores in a row and operably associatedY with means forselectively movingsaid cores" into andlout of axial alignment with one another 'so that electrical conductors can be threadedly passed through the bores of the axially alignedcores while missing those cores which are not so aligned. The apparatus further includes means for automatically controllingV the selectivel axial alignment of such cores together with means for applying a test and/ or sensing signal tothe wired cores forchecking thenope'rating characteristics of the memory plane as well as the cores associated therewith. A The invention ,and further features and objects thereof will be Abest understood in connection with the following description ofthe illustrated embodiment thereof shown in the,accompanyingdrawinga which are provided for the purpose `of illustrating `the principles of the invention and notfor ,limitation of the invention. i `In the drawings: i

` FIG. 1 is a4 schematic, isometric View `of the preferred embodiment of apparatus incorporating the present invention; p, l i i n FIGZZ is a top plan View of a portion of the core supporting apparatus of FIG. l with portions ofthe apparatus removed to expose the interior to View; p, FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown inFIG.2;and p p FIG. 4 is an isometric detail view ofthe magnetic core supportinglmember shown in side elevation lin FIG. 3.

`Referring to FIG. `l, the present invention hereinafter referred to as a core rope threader 10 in its preferred and illustrated embodiment, is seen to comprise aplurality of sub-assemblies including, a punch card reader 12, a magnetic core positioner 14, a magnetic core memory plane 16, a memory plane test fixture 18, an electrical conductor supporting trellis 2t) and, a highlow current control switch member 22, each of which will be explained in more detail as the description proceeds. The sub-assemblies 12, 14 and 22 are interconnected by means of multiconductor cables 24, 26 and 28, respectively. Cable 30 and plug 32 together provide means for connecting control member 22 to a source of electrical potential not shown, for applying energizing potentials to the associated apparatus.

The present invention is directed to the fabrication of magnetic core memory planes, such, for example, as those which iind employment in electronic computers. In such apparatus toroidal magnetic cores fabricated of various materials such as ferrites or ceramic bobbins wound with magnetizable material are used in large quantities thereby to afford means for storing information or data andare frequendy referred to as memory planes. In the present preferred embodiment magnetic core assemblies 34 of the type described and claimed in the US. patent application to L. T. La Patka and I. Mayer, Serial No. 704,441, filed December 23, 1957, now Patent No. 3,027,526, entitled Magnetic Core Assembly, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, are used to provide the memory plane assembly 16, as will be hereinafter described. Eachyof the core assemblies 34 includes a supporting bobbin,`not shown, carrying one or more wraps or turns of magnetizable strip material such, for example, asmolypermalloS/,Vencapsulated in `a body of dielectric material thereby to seal the same from the atmosphere, thus` to p provide the assembly shown. Each core assembly 3d has an'axial bore"` 35 and includesas an integralpart of the encapsulation a projecting `tang ortab 36, FIG. 3, Vthus to" provide means for supporting`the`encapsulated core during handlingsand/or use', as will appear more clearly hereinafter. 'Y Q A i In thel memory storage apparatus above referred to, a

plurality of encapsulated coresliil are arranged in rows.. and columns in 'a planar assemblage to form the memory j matrix array 16. ..The numberV of cores .3e-varies with the design of the particular memoryfstorage,apparatus. Onel such memory plane consists of sixteen rows and sixteeii 'columns of `co'wresi-Z'S cores ing-all. Obviously, the size of the memory plane and the number `of cores used are a matter ofdesignichoice and is limitedfor themost part'by the"`phy`sical geometry of the apparatus and `the available space for housing the same., .The memory plane 16 ofFIG 1 is illustrated as amatrix lof fourteen rows and fourteen columns of`cores"-l9 6` cores in all.` The number of cores shown is a result of the size of the sheet of drawing and is not to be considered a limitation on the `size or operation of the apparatus herein described.

In order to provide a useful memory plane matrix assembly it is also necessary to provide a number `of electric conductors or windings therefor.v These include,` for` example, drive andsense windings which are applied in a manner s'o asto pass through the bores of the` cores and to project away therefrom for attachment to certain other associated conductors for interconnection with other computer apparatus. These windings .ordinarily are fed, threaded or laced` through the bores of the cores of `the matrix after the cores have been assembled together into an array of rows and columns. `As a result, the application of these windings to the cores is slow, tedious,`frought with` operational decisional. errors asto which cores should` or should `not have windings, and` isrelativ'ely costly by virtue amarre j rl d of the time Vconsuming nature of the hand work neces- Vsarily involved.

The present application overcomes these problems in a novel manner yenabling an unskilled operator to first produce a rope of cores of a desired number of disposition in a matrix'or memory plane and thereafter provides a convenient means for checking each core in the resulting memory plane as well as the plane itself in a simple, quick and efiicient manner.v

The means for effecting the foregoing is seen by reference to the drawings, to include the card reader i2 and the core positioner 14, as will now be described in detail. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is seen that a plurality of signal responsive electromagnetic members 4u, such, for example, as plunger type solenoids, each provided with a plurality of electrical :windings 4?, thereon, and a reciprocably, slidably movable plunger member 44, biased away from the base of the solenoid by means of an associated spring 4d. i vFor purposes of increasing the overall packing density and reducing size the solenoids 4i) are disposed in two staggered or offset parallel rows on a supporting frame` i3-4S in a known manner.: The forward end (leftward, FIG. 2) of each plunger 44 is provided with a reduced portion 50, adjacent a flange 52 against which the spring 46 is received and retained. Eachl j zstanding projections 64 eachr havingV a bore 66 therethrough. A rockable clip 68 having-,a bent down jaw portion 70 is pivotally supported between opposite projections 64 by means'of a pin 72 which projects through the axially aligned lbores 66.. AA spring 74 carried by 'l the pin 72 biases each clip in av direction such that the a-jaw portion 70 is normally pressed tightly against .anv

undercut ledge 76, FIGS. `3 and 4, of the, forward tapered Y portion 78 of each member-54.

As seen more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3", each ofthe rods 54 is provided with a narrow shank 8i? extending :between the adjacent stop portions 827-82 for purposes to be explained later onherein.

Vwall portion '84 of member-48 is provided withv a plu-` 4-rality of grooves or slots 86 cut or Votherwise formed .'therein'incomb-like fashion, into .which thenarrowed The left upstanding Shanks v80 of Vmembers ,54. are received'for sliding move- Vmentleftwar'dly and rightvvardly Each Vslot 86 provides a of electricalv conductors have been threaded throughthe Y condition the springs 46 bias theV rods 54 leftwardly to cause stops 82 to abut wall 90 thereby aligning members 62, as seen in FIG. 1. Encapsulated cores 34 are clamped by means of the tabs 36 between the jaw '7U and the ledge 76 with bore 3S in axial alignment. Preselected switches 96 are now switched on energizing certain corresponding soienoids 40 causing theirrespective associated plungers 5d to retract rightwardly, displacing certain cores' from their original axially aligned positions to that shown, for ex-. ample, by the position of the third core'frorn the top in FIG. 2. K Y

An elongated shuttle member such as a rigid plastic-or metal needle 112 has its eye 114'threaded ywith a conductor 116 of suitable length and cross section.`V Thereafter an operator may thread such conductor through the.

aligned bores of the cores easily and quickly. One end of the conductor is attached to the trellis Ztl in a known manner as by retaining the wire with a clip (not shown) which may be permanently attached to each one of theY described is repeated with either the same vor different cores, as designated or called for by reason of the positions of switches 96 in accordance with the equipment design. Thisoperation' is repeated until a sufficient number various cores. Thereafter, the entire string or fas it may now be characterized rope of cores is released from the core positioner 14 as by depressing'the inward end of: each clip 68. The core rope is then strung Vback and forth along the dielectric panel board'16, FIG. 1 (upper left) with the tab' 36 of each core 34 disposed in a respectivey aperture122 as by being press-tted therein.

The employmentof a human operator entails certain decisional problems which in turn tend to produce a certain j I predictable amount of'decisionalrerror. For example, the operatormay transpose the number of thecore whichfis to be threaded and inadverently insert a conductor through the bore of a core which should be bypassed. In such case the core rope becomes useless withoutrst removing the erroneously threaded conductor or-coretherefrom.

Iny order tto elimina-te such operational decisional errors f the presentfapparatus includes the punch cand reader 12 l which is or may bevr substantially similarto the Punched' Cardl Reader andv Switch Contact,l apparatus described,v

bearing surface for the lower edge 88 of each member 54 whileat the same time being of a prescribed width `or Y 54 in `their leftward-rightward Vexcursions as automatic or manual core` selection is hereinafter accomplished. In

one condition off solenoids 4t), stop 82 abuts the inward edge 9G of the wall 484 while in lanother condition of the ly, as shown, and includes a plurality of individual toggle switchest, e.g., ,single-pole, single-throw `switches of canted portions of the cover in a known fashion as by means of the threaded portion )di of the switch; and the thickness, as 'seen in FIG. 2, toconstrain the members and claimed in the application ofJohn K-.ijBrowm Serial No. 139,446, `file-d September 20,.,19 61, and assigned v-to the -same lassignee as the present invention.` The drawing of FIG. 1 is Vobviously schematic and therefore does' not include all tof the structural elements which are actually used or, employed in.y such a device. However,

conventional type, which are secured in apertures in theV attaching nut 100, leavingthe toggle 102 projecting angularly forwardlyv for easyiaccessability to an operator.

l VElectrical leads or conductorsv'litli from each of the 'r switches yare wired into a lcable 106 for interconnection Ywith the solenoid coils 42 of each'of the solenoids 40.

Conductors 108 from theflatte'r'are likewise'wired into a "cable liti'fror interconnection with the reader member 1'2' and the control member 22, asl hereinafter described.

With all of the switchesA 96intl1`e"oi`f or de'energizedV 42 by means of ,the cables A24 and 26,-aforementioned.

itis believed that sufficient' structure has been disclosed and shown =to )enable one skilled inthe art to'understand the operation of suchequipment. The reader 12 includes a base memberf122 including a plurality of rows and columnsv of upwardly projecting' conductors i l124 which are or may Vbe spring biased in a verticaliv direction and have suicient height to be received through certain ofthe apertures 126 inL a #typical punchedV card 128.

A lid or cover member V` secured tothejbase by means of the hinge -132 is"p`rovided.with a pluralityV of electrically conductive padsY V134`formingan electrically common ground plane for the apparatus. The pads'134 areV electrically interconnected ,with the, solenoid cores A pair `of shont opstanding right angle-members 136 locatedV in oppositiediagonal lcorners oftheVV .base 122 provide orienting means :thereby preventing the card 128 from being accidentallyl dislodged from thel assembly dur- Y ing use.

In operation a card 123,? pre-punched with the desired coreposition data., is inserted into the card `reader. r.The

lid is clos-ed` completing electrical circuits to various pins in a known manner. In order to avoid excessive currents and high voltages, the windings of the solenoids are energized first witha low voltage in the order of 60 volts by the closure ofthe switch identified as low in control member` 22. All of the selected solenoids are affected but only a small number `will be activated. Thereafter .the momentary contact switch identifiedas high is closed placing approximately 120 Voltson the coils 42 of the solenoids causingthe rod members 54 of the remaining selected solenoids toretract, FIG; 2. This is to assure 100% activation of :the selected solenoids. `In the manner earlierrdescribed herein, the operator conveniently may now thread conductors 116 through the `axially aligned cores without though't as to which cores should receive -such windings. Those cores which are notto receive the windings,"i.e., those bypassed, are retracted out of .the way of the axially aligned 4row of cores. Thus there is no danger that the operator may` inadvertently apply a winding `to a core which should not receive `the same. In this manner a simple and efficient means is provided avoiding the tremendous number of thread-no thread `decisions which may amount to as many as 250,000 in certain memory plane designs thereby eliminating the opportunity for operational decisional error.

As a means of testing the cores and planes, a test signal from a source 140 may be introduced into each rope conductor by means of the trellis contacts 118. An oscilloscope 142 may be connected to each core by means ofra conductor loop 144 permittingthe signal to be sensed and visibly displayed and observed in a known manner.

Once such checking is completed, the group of cores Vis moved as by sliding leftwardly, FIG. l, along the wires away from the core positioner14 and the rope positoned on the plane 16 as aforedescribed. New cores are'then loaded into the positioner in the manner herein before referred to and the threading operation continued as before until the desired core total is reached eg., 64, 128, 256etc. With each Aadditional group-of 64 cores, the free end, that end attached to fixture 20 of the wire is removed from the fixture and is threaded through the desired core combination. Thereafter the badly flexed wires adjacent the positionenlt are cut and removed from the assembly thereby assuring good reliability.` The individual conductors 116 are detached from the test fixture 18 and thereafter secured to the contacts 146 disposed around the periphery of the plane 16. The memory plane is now ready for assembly withother memory planes lto form a stackup for use in a computer.

What is'claimed is: t 1. Magnetic core memory plane apparatus comprising, (a) means mounting a plurality of magnetic core members for movement in two opposite directions normal to said mounting means;

(b) means operably associatedwith said mounting means for effecting said movement; (c) means controlling said last means in amanner to axially align the bores of said cores, and,

(d) selection means op erably interconnecting said controlling mean-s and said core moving means for effcc-tingA selective alignment of certain ones of said pluralityV of magnetic cores. 'v

2. Magnetic core memory plane apparatus comprising,

(a) means mounting a plurality of magneticV core members in a row in spaced apart `side by side rela- `tion for Amovement in two opposite directions normal to said mounting means,

(b) means operably associated with said mounting` means for effecting movement thereof, i

(c) means controlling said last means in a manner to axially align the bores of said cores, and,

(d) selection means operably interconnecting said controlling means and said core moving means for effecting 4selective alignment of certain ones of said plurality of magnetic cores. 3. Magneti-c core memory piane apparatus comprising, (a) means detachably mounting a plurality of magnetic core members in a row for movement normal to the mounting means, (b) signal responsive means operably associated with said mounting means for effecting said normal movement,

`(c) means for electircally energizing `said signal responsive means in response to core selection signals whereby lto axially align the `bores of said cores, and,

(d) means including means providing pre-arranged core selection information operably associated with said energizing means and said signal responsive means for effecting automatic selective alignment of :the bores of certain ones of said magnetic cores for application thereto of electrical windings.

4. Magnetic lcore memory plane apparatus comprising,

(a) means detachably mounting a plurality of inagnetic cor-e members in rows for movement normal to Ithe mounting means,

(b) electromagnetic means operably associated with :said mounting means for effecting said nor-mal movement, Y

(c) means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means in response `to core selection information signals whereby to axially align the bores of said cores, and,

(d) means including means providing pre-arranged core selection information operably associa-ted with said energizing means and said electromagnetic 4means for effecting auto-matic selective alignment of the bores of certain ones of Vsaid magnetic cores for application -thereto of electrical windings.

5. Magnetic core memory plane apparatuscomprising,

(a) means for detachably'mounting aplurality of magnetic core membersin an elongated row, i

(b) a plurality of signal responsive members disposed a in rows adjacent said mounting means,

(c) means interconnecting said core mounting means and said signal responsive means for effecting movement of said core mounting means normal to said signal responsive means when` said signal responsive means is energized, (d) means for selectively actuating said signal responsive means, (e) means` for controlling` said selective actuating means, and,

(f) means for applyingan energizing potential to said selective actuating means to energize said signal .responsive means and selectively orient said mounting means in a predesired arrangement."

6. Magnetic core memory plane apparatuscomprising,

(a) means for detachably mounting va plurality of magnetic coremembersin an elongated row,

(b) said mounting means including a spring biased member for'releasably securing amagnetic core to said mounting means, .i

(c) a plurality of signal responsive members disposed in rows adjacent said mounting means,

(d) means interconnecting said core mounting means and said signal responsive means for effecting move ment of said core mounting means normal to said signal responsive means when said signal responsive means is energized,

(e) means for selectively actuating said signal responsive means,

(f) means for controlling said l selective actuatingl means, and, i

(g) means for applying first a low level and then a high level of electrical energizing potential to said selective actuating means to energize said signal revantennae sponsive means for selectively orienting said mountin'g means in a predesiredA arrangement.

7. Magnetic core memery plane apparatus comprising,

(a) means fordetachably mounting a plurality of magnetic core'members in an elongated row,

g (b) a plurality :of signal responsive members arranged in two rows adjacent said mounting means, (c) means interconnecting said core mounting means and said signal responsive means -for effecting movement of saidr core mounting means normal to said signal responsive means when said signal responsive means is energized, f

(d) punch card switch' means for-,selectively actuating saidsignal responsive means, v Y

(e.) `punchr'cardmeans forV controlling said selective actuating means, and, Y

(f) switch means for applying an energizing potential tosaid'selective actuating means thereby to energize said signal responsive means and selectively orient v i said mounting means ini a predesired arrangement. 8. Magnetic core memory plane apparatus comprising, (a) Vmeans for detachably mounting a plurality of magnetic core members in an elongated row, (b) a plurality of signal responsive members arranged in two staggered rows adjacent said mounting means,

('c) means interconnecting'said core mounting means and said signal responsive means for effecting-move-l said'mounting meansin a predesired arrangement,

al'ld, i n f g (g) manually operable switch means operably associated with said punch cardswitch means for overriding the .latter for manually? actuating said signal responsive means in a desired manner.

Y 'References Qited in the file of thispatent i UNTED STATES PATENTS Wagner a T Aug. 15, 194,74` Y v2,958,126 Shaw g Nov. 1,1960

Peters a l May 30, 1961 

1. MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY PLANE APPARATUS COMPRISING, (A) MEANS MOUNTING A PLUURALITY OF MAGNETIC CORE MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT IN TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS NORMAL TO SAID MOUNTING MEANS; (B) MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR EFFECTING SAID MOVEMENT; (C) MEANS CONTROLLING SAID LAST MEANS IN A MANNER TO AXIALLY ALIGN THE BORES OF SAID CORES, AND, (D) SELECTION MEANS OPERABLY INTERCONNETING SAID CONTROLLING MEANS AND SAID CORE MOVING MEANS FOR EFFECTING SELECTIVE ALIGNMENT OF CERTAIN ONES OF SAID PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC CORES.
 2. MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY PLANE APPARATUS COMPRISING, (A) MEANS MOUNTING A PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC CORE MEMBERS IN A ROW IN SPACED APART SIDE BY SIDE RELATION FOR MOVEMENT IN TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS NORMAL TO SAID MOUNTING MEANS, (B) MEANS OPEERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT THEREOF, (C) MEANS CONTROLLING SAID LAST MEANS IN A MANNER TO AXIALLY ALIGN THE BORES OF SAID CORES, AND, (D) SELECTION MEANS OPERABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CONTROLLING MEANS AND SAID CORE MOVING MEANS FOR EFFECTION SELECTIVE ALIGNMENT OF CERTAIN ONES OF SAID PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC CORES 